US, N.Korea leaders begin summit in Hanoi

Wednesday, February 27, 2019, 21:03 GMT+7

U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sit down for a dinner during the second U.S.-North Korea summit at the Metropole Hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam February 27, 2019. Photo: Reuters

The second U.S.-North Korea summit officially began as President Donald Trump and Chairman Kim Jong Un had talks in Hanoi at 6:30pm on Wednesday (local time).

During their greeting before the 20-minute talks at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, the U.S. leader expressed his belief that the summit will be very successful, equal to or even better than their first in Singapore in June 2018.

The president said North Korea holds great economic potential and wished to witness their achievements. Trump also pledged to support the Asian country to reap these economic achievements.

Chairman Kim said he had expected the second meeting with the U.S. president and vowed to do his best for the event. He firmly believed that the Hanoi meeting will bring about positive results.

After the talks, the high-profile leaders had dinner with the participation of their assistants, including U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, North Korea’s senior envoy Kim Yong-chul and foreign minister Ro Yong Hol.

The two leaders are expected to conduct a series of meetings on February 28, according to the White House.

U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sit down for a dinner during the second U.S.-North Korea summit at the Metropole Hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam February 27, 2019. Photo: Reuters

Since the first summit in Singapore eight months ago, both Trump and Kim have taken several steps to settle their contradictions that last for decades. Several points in the joint statement on June 12, 2018 have been realized such as the search and hand-over of remains of prisoners of war and personnel missing in action during the war.

According to experts, the two leaders will discuss North Korea’s specific steps for the denuclearization on the Korean peninsula and Washington’s measures to loosen sanctions against Pyongyang and improve bilateral ties during the summit.

Many sewers along the streets in Ho Chi Minh City have their entrances blocked by garbage on a regular basis, negatively impacting urban esthetics and the environment while helping cause serious flooding.

Despite the sweltering weather in Hanoi these days, many young people still flock to lotus ponds surrounding the capital city’s iconic Ho Tay (West Lake) to pose for Instgram-ready photos with a sea of blooming flowers.